Event

(A hands-on cooking class culminating in a three course dinner with wine.}Tuesday, January 28 2013, 6:00-9:00PM$55 for 18 Reasons members, $65 for the general public; Ticketed

Risa Lichtman's entry into the culinary world began to take shape in the many markets she haggled in, kitchens she lingered over, and tables she feasted around while living in Israel for several years. It was there that she learned to appreciate the various flavors of the Middle East and how they meld together in a most delicious and complimentary way. Ten years later she continues to weave them into her own cooking, bringing those flavors to our own abundant, local produce, which is not so different from what you might find in the market in Tel Aviv.

In this class, we will explore the Middle Eastern flavor profile through a handful of dishes, from traditional spice blends to homemade pita, to the ever-delicate workings of filo dough. Join us for this flavorful feast and learn how you can bring these flavors back into your own kitchen.

Menu

chard & feta filo pie with currants and pine nuts

herbed falafel balls over tahini sauce & homemade za'atar

fresh pita bread

winter chicory salad with fresh herbs & citrus

cardamom-scented poached fruit

Risa Lichtman has her hands busy in a number of food projects around the city: by day she runs an organic, sustainable lunch program at a local high school, and by night she can be found creating community-oriented, deliciously-memorable meals. She is known for her sought-after Sunday Supperings, a supper club grown out of her own backyard featuring 5-courses of seasonal, farm-based foods. Risa's background is strongly based in medicinal foods & food for healing, and she is a graduate of the Natural Gourmet Institute for Health and Culinary Arts in NYC. She has enjoyed working on various farms in order to deepen her understanding of the food she prepares. She is passionate about all stages of the process, from farming to feasting, and is as skilled at working hard in the kitchen as she is at sitting and enjoying that meal with others.